Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score. Opera is part of the Western classical music tradition. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting and costumes and sometimes dance.

Soprano

Tenor

Contralto Basso Baritone

or Fifth Business

Heroine Plays the lover to her.

Who rivals the soprano

The villain or rival to the tenor.

The odd one out because he has no rival, but he is the one who carries the twist in the plot.

Robertson Davies (1913-1995)

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. Seen Mostly Fewer times

Dustan,Percy Boyd Staunton

Paul Dempster Mrs. DempsterMr. Dempster

LeolaDiana

Miss Bertha Shanklin’sFather Regan

PackerWillie

Dr McCauslandElsie

Conon Marfleet Ada Blake Orpheus

David Carolina

“we have all rejected our beginnings and become something our parents could not have foreseen”, said Paul (268).

3 main characters: Dunstan(Dunstan), Percy and Paul All connected by one incident, the snowball that hit

Mrs. Dempster All 3 boys left their hometown for their own reasons:

Percy: His status and ego Dunstan: His guilt Paul: His challenges as a misfit

Percy fought in WWI then went into business Paul ran away with the circus becoming a master

magician Dunstan fought in WWI then studied and wrote

about saints Mrs. Dempster became Dunstan’s responsibility

Placed in an asylum Remained there until she passed away

Born in Thamesville, Ontario August 28th, 1913 – Dec. 2nd 1995 Upper Canada College 1926-32 Went as a Non-

Degree student Attended Queen's 1932-35 not looking for a degree Attended University of Toronto Davies's father became a newspaper owner and

senator, Dunstan’s father is a News paper owner as well.

Religion - more specifically hagiology Materialism vs. Spirituality Roles of Men and Women

Guilt

Dunstan (presbyterian) + Dempsters (Catholic) = Conflict Dunstan keeps Testament with him at war Mrs. Dempster is Dunstan’s fool saint Here is the patience and faith of the saints. (269) Dunstan becomes obsessed with hagiology Writes several books on saints Dunstan is convinced Mrs. Dempster saved him in WW1 Church is used as Propaganda in WW1; collecting

donations Directly connected with spirituality

Percy(Materialism) Vs. Dunstan(Spirituality) Percy Sugar Dunstan Saints Dunstan wants to understand life Percy feels money can buy happiness

“Oh no! I only did what I could”, said Dunstan’s mother (17).

“what we offer is innocent-just an entertainment in which a hungry part of the spirit is fed”, said Paul (211).

This shows how it is superior to have both man and woman run

society together.

The main theme Developed at the very beginning Strengthens the conflict Dunstan vs. Percy Carried through the story, affecting almost all events of it Guilt is very powerful Dunstan holds guilt over head Percy feels no guilt at all

What effect would it have on the story if Dunstan had told his parents as well as Mr./Mrs. Dempster that Percy had thrown the snowball?

 If Dunstan had told everyone that Percy had thrown the snowball, we would be following Percy's story rather than Dunstan. Dunstan is responsible for taking care of Mrs. Dempster, but if everyone had known the truth, I feel he would be responsible for taking care of Mrs. Dempster.

If Percy was the main character then the story would have stayed the same,

because Paul would still born disable and hopefully Percy will take care of him. The only difference I can see is that then Percy and Dunstan will both take care of Paul and Mrs. Dempster.

Due to the fact that Dunstan also feels responsible, I am pretty sure that he

wouldn't turn Percy over. Only he is to blame for his 'guilt-ridden' childhood days.

What effect does the first person narration have on the story? How do you feel it has affected your view and understanding of the novel?

At first it was quite difficult to understand, we didn't appreciate the novel until a little later on in the book when we got used to the style of writing the author used.

The story isn't written in first person, but rather a memoire, in which a person reflects on his or her life.

I found I was looking back a lot in the first few pages just to keep up with all that was happening but it has started to slow down in my opinion.

First person narration makes the story more believable. First person narrative adds a 'personal' touch to the story.

There are many themes incorporated into this book by the author. What are the main themes of this novel, and how do the minor themes contribute to the story?

The main theme so far is regret, many of the things that happen as far reflects on how it would be different if the snowball did not cause the premature birth of Paul.

There are numerous themes in this novel, but Dunstan's guilt and its debilitating effects seem to be the epicenter of most of the events that have taken place (at least so far).

This novel changes direction after every 3-5 pages; therefore it is hard to understand what the theme is.

Further into the book, we've learned that the ongoing struggle between Percy and Dunstan is no longer just a rivalry between social classes, the Proletariat, and the Bourgeoisie classes. How will this allow the book to progress?

It can only make the conflict even more heated. Considering many conflicts find the basis in this relationship I cannot wait to see what happens! Davies is setting us up for something big I think!

The different classes put a dark spin on the story.

We see conflict between Dunstan and Mr. Dempster because of the different religious backgrounds.

We also have begun to see discriminatory remarks against the classes.

Flashback: Milo and Dunstan having a conversation about the past from Page 101-105.

“Not since his trouble you remember? Sure you do! We used to see you skin over there after school and

climb through the window to see her and Paul. Nobody ever thought…..”, said Milo (104)

Pathos: The reader feels sympathy for Mrs. Dempster’s situation and for Leola’s situation.

Dearest Dunstan:This is the end. Boy does not love me and you don’t either so it is best for me to go. Think of me sometimes. I always loved you.Love,Leola (Pg 191)

“Now she remembers so little, and it better so, because when she does remember she thinks of Paul…”, said Miss Bertha Shanklin’s (140).

Foreshadowing: Dunstan though Paul card/coin tricks and then Paul turns out to be a magician, doing card/coin tricks .

“Yes, like that,” ….he could shuffle cards without dropping them, said Dustan (33).

“ After all, he had pupil in the art of manipulating cards and coins…”(145)

 

Comparison: Similarities between Dunstan's mother and Diana. They both help the society in a similar way.

Point of view: First Person.

Davies masterfully intertwines literary devices into the novel to enhance his story.

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